Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[Jd2793]

its a token gesture wouldnt read much into it at all. 500k wont get you much , especially in NY.

[Longfordian]

It'd do a lot for some Irish clubs, in several sports. The New York GAA has plenty of money.

[Jd2793]

It'd do a lot for some Irish clubs, in several sports. The New York GAA has plenty of money.

the money was ringfenced to be spent on the governments emigrant support programme. the outrage is misplaced. at least it was spent on sport...

Through the ESP, the Government provides financial support to organisations engaged in the delivery of front line advisory services and community care to Irish emigrants, particularly to the more vulnerable and marginalised members of our community abroad, including the elderly. In addition, the ESP also facilitates Irish Government investment in a range of cultural, community and heritage projects, which foster a vibrant sense of Irish community and identity, as well as strategic capital projects.

[Longfordian]

I'm not outraged personally, I'm maybe one level above "don't care" on the scale. Fair enough if it had to be spent abroad but I still think there will have been other cities or countries that need the money more than NY GAA. They have plenty of money to be paying intercounty players to come over every summer.

[2 Year Contract]

its a token gesture wouldnt read much into it at all. 500k wont get you much , especially in NY.

That makes it all the more baffling. 500k could do an awful lot relatively speaking for a ground like Mounthawk Park for example. Even if it’s a GAA only thing, there’s more than plenty of GAA grounds in this country that could do with a 500k (at least!) upgrade

[nr637]

Would you need a larger brown envelope for 500k or would it be easier as a cheque in a standard brown size envelope!

Just wondering! :confused:

[EatYerGreens]

I'm not outraged personally, I'm maybe one level above "don't care" on the scale. Fair enough if it had to be spent abroad but I still think there will have been other cities or countries that need the money more than NY GAA. They have plenty of money to be paying intercounty players to come over every summer.

They could always spend it in Derry.... :soldier:

[outspoken]

Things may not be great on the pitch atm but LTFC deserve huge credit for Bishopsgate.

https://twitter.com/betweenstripes/status/1637895646723313664

[EatYerGreens]

Things may not be great on the pitch atm but LTFC deserve huge credit for Bishopsgate.

https://twitter.com/betweenstripes/status/1637895646723313664

A great ground. With a bit more roof it would be the best in the FD. Though the arial shots really show how much the ground is in the middle of nowhere.

[David BOHie]

A great ground. With a bit more roof it would be the best in the FD. Though the arial shots really show how much the ground is in the middle of nowhere.

Yeah it's a real shame it's not a few k closer to the town because it's a great facility. I'd say Longford would get a few more in the gate if that was the case too.

[outspoken]

A great ground. With a bit more roof it would be the best in the FD. Though the arial shots really show how much the ground is in the middle of nowhere.

The flip side to that though is look at the scope for developing the facility. That's a brand new astro gone in there and those back pitches ard only a few years old, plus the club use the huge car park for car boot sales on bank holidays which are massive money spinners for the club. You see grounds like Oriel and Drogheda that are in the middle of towns and the footfall is obviously much higher but there's little to no scope to develop them

[nigel-harps1954]

Longford isn't far off having a properly great ground. Has always felt unfinished to me though. Roof would be great around the rest of the ground, but it's not the end of the world to have an open ground.

Lack of toilet or shop facilities on the other side of the ground, a small tin hut for media gantry, no other access/exit points, unfinished carpark surface, lot of bare blockwork with no plaster or paint.

I know it's small things, but these things being upgraded would immediately make it one of the best grounds in the league, for me.

As said though, there's huge scope for development there and the facilities they do have is a credit to them. Many other clubs could only dream of what they have built.

[Neish]

Longford isn't far off having a properly great ground. Has always felt unfinished to me though. Roof would be great around the rest of the ground, but it's not the end of the world to have an open ground.

Lack of toilet or shop facilities on the other side of the ground, a small tin hut for media gantry, no other access/exit points, unfinished carpark surface, lot of bare blockwork with no plaster or paint.

I know it's small things, but these things being upgraded would immediately make it one of the best grounds in the league, for me.

As said though, there's huge scope for development there and the facilities they do have is a credit to them. Many other clubs could only dream of what they have built.

Yeah its a nice little ground with a lot of potential. Agree on all your points but would also add.

Need of a hot food facility there, especially for a ground more or less in the middle of nowhere. Been there 5 or 6 times I think once there was a chip van, rest of time just seem to be little tuck shop then soup & sandwiches under main stand

A lot of the seats have been exposed to Irish weather for far too long and are rotting away. Granted it been a few years since I was last there so maybe things have changed, but I think removing the seats behind each goal and just doing terracing. Then a roof over ( even just the middle sections of) the Section O side and again terrace the rest of it

[Glen Of Aherlow]

The flip side to that though is look at the scope for developing the facility. That's a brand new astro gone in there and those back pitches ard only a few years old, plus the club use the huge car park for car boot sales on bank holidays which are massive money spinners for the club. You see grounds like Oriel and Drogheda that are in the middle of towns and the footfall is obviously much higher but there's little to no scope to develop them

All those things you mention are great in their own way and bring money into the club and it would be fine if you were talking about a Junior GAA club but soccer is much more of an urban sport

[EatYerGreens]

The flip side to that though is look at the scope for developing the facility. That's a brand new astro gone in there and those back pitches ard only a few years old, plus the club use the huge car park for car boot sales on bank holidays which are massive money spinners for the club. You see grounds like Oriel and Drogheda that are in the middle of towns and the footfall is obviously much higher but there's little to no scope to develop them

Do more people head out to Bishopsgate (or whatever it;s called these days) for a car boot sale than for a football match ?

[Longfordian]

The stadium is a credit to those involved over the years who got it built with very little in the way of government funding of any kind. It's come a long way in terms of additional pitches and facilities for the academy teams. Agree that it could still do with a few little finishing touches but maybe it can be done in time.

[outspoken]

Do more people head out to Bishopsgate (or whatever it;s called these days) for a car boot sale than for a football match ?

People come from all over Ireland to sell at them. Cars start arriving from before 6am and car park does litreally be full to the brim. It's a huge fundraiser for club.

[EalingGreen]

What is the capacity at Longford, and do they often fill it, either recently or in the past?

For while it is quite impressive in a lot of ways, I really cannot understand why they would have/need so much uncovered seating. I get that it's a summer season and the weather is more benign than more Northerly parts etc. And lack of cover is ok for terracing, I suppose, since standing in the rain/cold isn't too bad. But sitting in the cold and rain?

So that unless they're selling out regularly and need the maximum capacity, would it not have been wiser to spend what money they have on putting a roof on a smaller portion of the terracing upon which they've bolted those seats and just leave the rest of the terracing as it is? I can't help thinking it's a LOI thing, since you don't really see these large expanses of uncovered seating in comparable level grounds in NI/Wales/England/Scotland.

P.S. Not having a pop by any means, merely curious in a stadium-nerd kinda way.

[outspoken]

It's got a UEFA license so can host underage internationals and could host some sort of European games as well.

[Longfordian]

It started in a bit of a romantically shambolic way in that Stephen Kenny and the club at the time were determined to play our first ever European game in Longford. To do that they needed way more seats. Which were kind of thrown up around the ground. Then when we qualified again a few years later, again we wanted to play at home but we had to put in proper concrete. It probably would have made more sense long term to have terraces at either end and an at least partially roofed smaller stand opposite the main stand. We've hardly ever sold out but we did have some memorable nights over the years. Winning the League Cup at home in 2004 was a good one.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

What Longford have done over the years is phenomenal and a huge credit to all the people involved with the club

[EalingGreen]

It started in a bit of a romantically shambolic way in that Stephen Kenny and the club at the time were determined to play our first ever European game in Longford. To do that they needed way more seats. Which were kind of thrown up around the ground. Then when we qualified again a few years later, again we wanted to play at home but we had to put in proper concrete. It probably would have made more sense long term to have terraces at either end and an at least partially roofed smaller stand opposite the main stand. We've hardly ever sold out but we did have some memorable nights over the years. Winning the League Cup at home in 2004 was a good one.OK, that makes sense.

[Martinho II]

I think one simple thing that the club could do is no offence with the posters outside the ground should they be not be more UTD? Its at least over a decade old pictures of Alan Kirby and Keith Gillespie. Strangely enough before the ground was redeveloped there was shelter on the Section O end but no stand..
The pictures of ground look great but there can always be improvements.

[EatYerGreens]

People come from all over Ireland to sell at them. Cars start arriving from before 6am and car park does litreally be full to the brim. It's a huge fundraiser for club.

Interesting. It does kind of negate the argument that the club is too far out of town for people to support it though. I mean - if it isn't too far to go and buy tat at a car boot sale...

[outspoken]

I think one simple thing that the club could do is no offence with the posters outside the ground should they be not be more UTD? Its at least over a decade old pictures of Alan Kirby and Keith Gillespie. Strangely enough before the ground was redeveloped there was shelter on the Section O end but no stand..
The pictures of ground look great but there can always be improvements.

I highly doubt the fact that Keith Gillespie or Alan Kirby being on a poster right outside the ground as opposed to Aodh Dervin or Jack Brady is stopping anyone from coming.

[D24Saint]

Ian Mallon: Are Waterford set to call time on RSC to achieve goals? (irishexaminer.com) (https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/business-of-sport/arid-41099302.html)

Interesting article.

[SPXcyan]

Hopefully there is some merit to this article, I haven't heard anything about it whatsoever.
I do recall just how frustrated Andy Pilley was with the lack of access to the stadium on match days.

[JC_GUFC]

I did hear an alternative view on Waterford that the Athletics club will relocate to SETU and the pitch turned 90 degrees so the two existing stands will be behind each goal. I'd imagine there's scope the build a new stand/clubhouse where the current away end access is but overly this sounds like a very costly development but not as costly as leaving the RSC altogether.

If that were to happen is there any chance of a move back to Kilcohan Park? A greyhound track around the pitch wouldn't be as wide as a running track!

[SPXcyan]

It would make the most sense, although the current (new) stand would be too long for a behind the goal type, the current main stand would be perfect however.

[EatYerGreens]

I did hear an alternative view on Waterford that the Athletics club will relocate to SETU and the pitch turned 90 degrees so the two existing stands will be behind each goal. I'd imagine there's scope the build a new stand/clubhouse where the current away end access is but overly this sounds like a very costly development but not as costly as leaving the RSC altogether.

If that were to happen is there any chance of a move back to Kilcohan Park? A greyhound track around the pitch wouldn't be as wide as a running track!

if the existing stands could handle a 90-degree re-orintation of the pitch, t would just go to show how far back the running track pushes the fans from the pitch currently :eek: Though it would also leave a weirdly long stand at one end.

Personally I hate anything that separates fans from pitches. Whether that be tracks for dogs, humans, horses or banger racing.

[bohsmug]

Would it really look all that weird? I would've thought it'd be fairly close to the width of a pitch going by (admittedly dodgy) memory.

[JC_GUFC]

if the existing stands could handle a 90-degree re-orintation of the pitch, t would just go to show how far back the running track pushes the fans from the pitch currently :eek: Though it would also leave a weirdly long stand at one end.

Personally I hate anything that separates fans from pitches. Whether that be tracks for dogs, humans, horses or banger racing.

A running track is about 10 metres wide and there's probably about 2 metres between the pitch and the track on either side. The new stand is pretty much on top of the track but the old stand probably has another 5 metres or so of clearance between the front of the stand and the track, so that's about 30 metres, maybe take a few off as you'd need space behind the goal, so 25 metres to work with.

According to Wikipedia the pitch dimensions are 105 x 75 yards, so 25 metres (27 yards) would mean the re-oriented pitch would be 102 yards in length. I think this would be the smallest pitch in the league but it's above the minimum size (98 yards), though they'd presumably want it to be the length required for international football (110 yards).

In summary it's probably pretty close to be able to switch the pitch without any work required to the stands.

I wouldn't worry about the new stand, I would say it would only be slightly wider than the pitch, as it is it doesn't cover the full length

[Buller]

A running track is about 10 metres wide and there's probably about 2 metres between the pitch and the track on either side. The new stand is pretty much on top of the track but the old stand probably has another 5 metres or so of clearance between the front of the stand and the track, so that's about 30 metres, maybe take a few off as you'd need space behind the goal, so 25 metres to work with.

According to Wikipedia the pitch dimensions are 105 x 75 yards, so 25 metres (27 yards) would mean the re-oriented pitch would be 102 yards in length. I think this would be the smallest pitch in the league but it's above the minimum size (98 yards), though they'd presumably want it to be the length required for international football (110 yards).

In summary it's probably pretty close to be able to switch the pitch without any work required to the stands.

I wouldn't worry about the new stand, I would say it would only be slightly wider than the pitch, as it is it doesn't cover the full length

Yeah it would be tight. Looks like about 103ish meters at the very most between the stands on google maps. Most pitches in the league are at least 100 metres long - think that'd be the minimum length.

[nigel-harps1954]

Would wager you'd fit a pitch nice and tight between the two stands in RSC handy enough. The new stand doesn't run anywhere near the length of the pitch either so would be a comfortable sized stand behind one goal as well.

If it were a serious option for Waterford, they'd be mad not to go for it.

[SaintMel]

The gaa has the Irish government in its back pocket it's no surprise

[Bottle of Tonic]

Lads, don't want to start a new thread so thought I'd throw this in here.

Can anyone give me a brief synopsis of what exactly the craic is with Athlone Town?

For context, I now live locally and have been to a match a couple of times in recent years. Attendances seem poor and there is no visibility of ATFC support around town. By contrast, when I go to Longford you always see someone in a club hat or jacket etc. Longford would be my closest boyhood club (though i was never more than a casual supporter) and I went there a few times as a kid. Club always seemed well supported amongst my friends and acquaintances from there.

I'm aware Athlone had/have issues with ownership over the years, without knowing the details. I'm getting to a stage in life where I've young kids and I'd like to start taking them to their local LOI club, but if Athlone is a basket case am I as well heading back up to Longford where I was a bit of a supporter in my younger days?

[Longfordian]

I think the locals in general have a strong dislike of the current chairman for many years now. He’s destroyed the goodwill towards the club in the town it seems. Most of the formerly long time supporters don't go any more. LTFC like most LOI clubs is at least a club where every single member of the committee gives everything they have to put a team out there every season and to maintain the ground. There's certainly nobody taking any money out.

[redobit]

An interesting article on the future of astro pitches in Europe.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/business-of-sport/arid-41033855.html

[EatYerGreens]

An interesting article on the future of astro pitches in Europe.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/business-of-sport/arid-41033855.html

As the date shows, that article's been around a while now. And it's also a bit alarmist/click-baity with its headline. There are alternatives to the rubber crumb which clubs will switch to, which will mean there will be no problem using the pitches.

[toffeejay84]

Dalymount redevelopment project:

https://councilmeetings.dublincity.ie/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=40933

This is absolutely brilliant pdf presentation.

[Philosophizer]

Dalymount redevelopment project:

https://councilmeetings.dublincity.ie/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=40933

This is absolutely brilliant pdf presentation.
Looks good but it pains me that it will be only 8K… if we ever get it fully built, and that’s still a v big “if”. They should be aiming for 10K imho.

Personally, I’d still prefer if they kept the Jodi and redevelop the rest, to a 10K capacity, but that’s just me.

[toffeejay84]

I thought the same, but there will be a commercial development on the Tramway stand so at the current direction of the pitch it would only be able to have 3 sides.

[Buller]

Looks good but it pains me that it will be only 8K… if we ever get it fully built, and that’s still a v big “if”. They should be aiming for 10K imho.

Personally, I’d still prefer if they kept the Jodi and redevelop the rest, to a 10K capacity, but that’s just me.

Jodi stand looks a better stand than the 2700 seater stand in those plans; steeper gradient for better angle of view. Looks like the new stands are all shallow to keep residents objections down?
Also, 5 meters gap between pitch and stand isn't ideal.

[Shinkicker]

Looks good but it pains me that it will be only 8K… if we ever get it fully built, and that’s still a v big “if”. They should be aiming for 10K imho.
Totally agree with you on this, it needs to be bigger. Is it modular so it can be extended?
Personally, I’d still prefer if they kept the Jodi and redevelop the rest, to a 10K capacity, but that’s just me.
I agree totally with you on this. Will it be modular to increase capacity if required?

[Glen Of Aherlow]

I agree totally with you on this. Will it be modular to increase capacity if required?

And the terraces behind each goal look a bit harmless , especially the 700 odd capacity one

[Elfman]

My question is where did the commercial development come out of? I don't remember that being in the original plans. Could that space not have gone to better community facilities than the gym and hall that's being shoe horned into the corner?

[David BOHie]

Jodi stand looks a better stand than the 2700 seater stand in those plans; steeper gradient for better angle of view. Looks like the new stands are all shallow to keep residents objections down?
Also, 5 meters gap between pitch and stand isn't ideal.

5 meters isn't too bad is it? What would Tallaght be? From the front row of the jodi now to the white of the sideline is probably 5 meters now in Dalyer.

I do agree with the gradient however. Hopefully it's stepper than it looks.


Looks good but it pains me that it will be only 8K… if we ever get it fully built, and that’s still a v big “if”. They should be aiming for 10K imho.

Personally, I’d still prefer if they kept the Jodi and redevelop the rest, to a 10K capacity, but that’s just me.

The Jodi is not fit for purpose at all. It's too small, the blocks aren't laid out properly where they need to be (singing section is smallest block), there's about 30% the toilets there should be, there's two poles obstructing the view of the pitch, the seats are tiny, there's only one entrance and exit and it's down a narrow lane which the local fire brigade have noted as a massive risk. As someone else has said redeveloping the rest of the ground would leave a 3 sided stadium.

I love the Jodi and I love Dalyer but it's served its purpose in its current guise and we need to knock it and rotate the pitch to get the most out of it.

I agree I'd love 10k but my initial thoughts is compared to the 6k we were going to have, I'm delighted with 8k. I do hope the terrace can be converted to seating for big european games hopefully allowing a total seated capacity of about 7k for those european games.

[EatYerGreens]

Looks good but it pains me that it will be only 8K… if we ever get it fully built, and that’s still a v big “if”. They should be aiming for 10K imho.

Personally, I’d still prefer if they kept the Jodi and redevelop the rest, to a 10K capacity, but that’s just me.

Definitely agree. A limit of 8,000 will become too constricting for Bohs. 10,000 feels about right. 8,000 would also be a bit of a slap in the jaw for 'The Home of Irish Football'.

[Philosophizer]

Jodi stand looks a better stand than the 2700 seater stand in those plans; steeper gradient for better angle of view. Looks like the new stands are all shallow to keep residents objections down?
Also, 5 meters gap between pitch and stand isn't ideal.
I thought the same from the renders. The gradient is extremely shallow, making the stand much more low and squat. I don’t know the reasons but I assume it’s to avoid objections as you mentioned.

[Philosophizer]

I thought the same, but there will be a commercial development on the Tramway stand so at the current direction of the pitch it would only be able to have 3 sides.
The pitch could be easily moved a few metres down towards the school. You might lose a few rows from the DK end but you’ll gain them at the other end, resulting in small terraces at each end. Then build a proper big stand opposite the Jodi.
That way Bohs could stay in Dalyer, keep the current Jodi, and have a 4 sided stadium with 8-10K. It would be WAY cheaper and faster than a total demolition and rebuild.
And it would